flaccid

IPA/ˈflæsɪd/
KK[flˈæksɪd]IPA/ˈflæsɪd/

flaccid — adjective

  • flaccidpositive
  • more flaccidcomparative
  • most flaccidsuperlative

1. lacking normal tightness or strength, so it hangs, bends, or feels limp instead

1.adjectiveC1
Definition

lacking normal tightness or strength, so it hangs, bends, or feels limp instead of holding its shape.

Example

After the long bath, Jin's fingers looked pale and flaccid.

be flaccid after heat or water exposure

The old soccer ball felt flaccid after lying in the wet shed.

flaccid + object that has lost air

Common collocations
  • flaccid muscles
  • flaccid skin
  • flaccid leg
  • flaccid leaves
  • flaccid balloon
Synonyms
  • limp

    more common and less formal in everyday speech

  • slack

    often stresses looseness rather than physical weakness

Antonyms
  • firm

    having a solid, steady feel

  • taut

    pulled tight rather than hanging loose

Grammar Patterns

flaccid + noun

be flaccid

Usage Note

Often used for muscles, limbs, skin, leaves, or objects that have lost pressure or strength. Distinguish from sense 2, which describes a weak action, response, or performance rather than a physical state.

2. showing too little energy or force to have a strong effect or make people respon

2.adjectiveC1
Definition

showing too little energy or force to have a strong effect or make people respond seriously.

Example

His flaccid apology did little to calm the angry parents.

flaccid + apology for weak effort

Voters ignored the flaccid campaign that never offered clear ideas.

flaccid + campaign in political criticism

Common collocations
  • flaccid apology
  • flaccid campaign
  • flaccid speech
  • flaccid response
  • flaccid attack
Synonyms
  • weak

    the broad everyday word for lacking strength or effect

  • feeble

    often suggests very little power or confidence

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

flaccid + response

flaccid + speech

flaccid + campaign

Usage Note

Common with nouns such as response, campaign, speech, or apology when the speaker wants to criticize a lack of strength or impact. Distinguish from sense 1, which refers to a body or object becoming physically limp.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

'Flaccid' is the most formal and clinical of these words. It often describes a body part, muscle, or object that has lost its normal firmness or tension. 'Limp' is the everyday choice for something hanging softly or moving without strength, while 'weak' is broader and can describe people, arguments, signals, or effort. In figurative criticism, 'flaccid' often sounds sharper than 'weak' because it suggests not only low strength but also a disappointing lack of effect.

flaccid ↗limp ↗weak ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • flaccid muscles
  • flaccid skin
  • flaccid apology
  • flaccid campaign
  • flaccid response

Phrases

  • feel flaccid
  • become flaccid

Etymology

LatinEnglish

'Flaccid' came into English from Latin 'flaccidus', meaning 'loose' or 'hanging limp'. The word has kept that idea of lost firmness, first for physical softness and later for weak or ineffective performance.